A shift in the make-up of immune cells found in the blood of patients with amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) favors specific types of pro-inflammatory T-helper cells in detriment to anti-inflammatory regulatory T-cells, a study has found. This change in immune cells’ balance is associated with disease severity…

A $25,000 Ionis Pharmaceuticals scholarship will help amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) patients in the San Diego, California, area participate in a host of integrative physical and mental wellness programs through Adapt Functional Movement Center. The full range of personalized sessions will be provided online during the COVID-19 pandemic. Designed…

People with amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) have significantly lower levels of a small molecule called microRNA-335-5p (miR-335-5p), which promotes the degradation of mitochondria and nerve cell death, a study shows. These findings suggest that dysregulation of miR-335-5p may contribute to neurodegeneration in ALS patients, which may be useful…

Fasudil, approved in Japan for treating stroke patients, also is well-tolerated and prevents disease worsening in people with amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS), according to a report of three patients who received the medicine under compassionate use. However, the effects were transient, and all three patients experienced either a decline…

Mutations in the TBK1 gene — often associated with amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) — seem to have a dual role in progression of the disease, causing it to emerge earlier in animals models of ALS, but then slowing in later stages. This paradoxical role, according to a results…

The onset and early progression of motor and cognitive symptoms, specific by disease type to each amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) patient, are determined by age and sex, and to some extent by mutations in ALS genes, a large data study has found. The study, “ALS phenotype is influenced…

AB Science plans to launch a Phase 3 clinical trial testing the safety and effectiveness of its tyrosine kinase inhibitor masitinib as an add-on treatment for people with amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS). Its announcement follows U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approval of the company’s investigational new…

The Muscular Dystrophy Association (MDA) is hosting an online Q&A session today to discuss the best ways that people with neuromuscular diseases might protect themselves during the COVID-19 pandemic. The 30-minute session can be accessed on the MDA’s Facebook page, and starts at 6 p.m. EST. People with…

A single brain area previously thought to control only the movement of the hands and arms also may control movement across all four limbs, a study found. This discovery opens new avenues for the use of brain-computer interfaces in people who have lost control of their arms and legs,…

People with amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) are less likely to have used anti-diabetic medications in the five years preceding their diagnosis than matched individuals of the same population, a study found, supporting an inverse association between diabetes treatments and the risk of ALS. The research also points to…